The hot topics for the past few weeks …Can you guess!? Social distancing…Isolation. We have heard these terms and many others so much. It has caused us to not be able to physically have contact with others that don’t live with us. As I have been thinking about what it means and how I have been coping I realized this can be a really hard time for some. It can be hard for a person that thrives from contact with others or someone who may be an only child or have older siblings that are not home. You might even have a house full of people but still feel alone. As I began to think about God’s Word, I found so much hope during this time. God promises that He will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 3:6). So no matter how you feel in your current situation, you are not alone. I encourage you to challenge those thoughts of loneliness. How do you challenge them?
1. By the Word of God. Psalms 23:4 says, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for though art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” No matter how dark things may seem, God is with you and will comfort you and get you through. Even through social distancing and isolation, God is with you.
2. By opening your mouth and speaking the truth. What is the truth? According to Isaiah 41:10, God tells us to not be afraid. God is with you and will strengthen you through this situation and any other ones you may face. Say out loud to yourself, “I got this! I can and will get through this! God is helping me. I have what it takes and God has not left me. He is with me always!”
3. By having a grateful heart (1 Thessalonians 5:18)! Everything around you can be speaking doom and gloom, saying you have nothing to be grateful for but you do. Look around you. Look at your family. Everything may not be perfect but you have one. Look through your phone. I am sure there is at least one person you can call or FaceTime. Have you been able to catch up on school work? That’s something to be grateful about. Be deliberate about finding those things to be grateful for. We take this for granted but you woke up this morning! Praise God for that!
When the feeling and thoughts of loneliness arise, do not just sulk in it. Challenge those thoughts and feelings. There are some things we cannot change. Don’t focus on what you can’t change. Instead, focus on what you can change. Remember we are all in this together and we will all get through it together. No matter what you are facing you are not alone. You have God with you and when we actually look around we see the others God placed around us to do life with us. So, you may be isolated but you are NOT alone!!
Epic Student Ministries
Ashley Merrick-Ministry Team